USDA Announces Rural Electric Infrastructure Investments

The Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced a $276 million investment effort in rural electric infrastructure to improve system efficiency and reliability. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the investments are “fundamental for rural economic growth.” USDA’s $276 million investment will build nearly 1,000 miles of electric lines and improve 733 miles of line to meet current and future needs of rural businesses and residents. It will also support $65 million in smart grid technologies to help rural electric utilities reduce outages and integrate new systems. Investments are being made in Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio and Virginia. The loan guarantees are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, which is the successor to the Rural Electrification Administration. Complete details of the investments are available online at www.rd.usda.gov.